THE MAYDEW CHARM 



BY- 



MERAB EBERLE. 




PRICE 25 CENTS 



Eldridge Entertainment House 



Franklin, Ohio 



Denver, Colo. 



GET THIS NEW PATRIOTIC MONOLOG 

"THE STARS AND STRIPES 
IN FLANDERS" 

BY SEYMOUR S. TIBBALS 



HERE is a ten minute dramatic reading 
with a climax that will cause a thrill. 
Suitable for a male or female reader and a 
number that will strengthen any program. 

We recommend it for any patriotic celebra- 
tion, commencement, alumni or civic banquet. 

The story deals with the manner in which 
the news of America's entrance into the war 
was received in a dugout in Belgium. A col- 
onel of artillery, a priest and an Irish-Ameri- 
can are the leading characters. You will 
like it. 

PRICE 25 CENTS 

THE ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE 

FRANKLIN, OHIO • ■ • - DENVER, COLO. 



THE MAY DEW CHARM 



By MERAB EBERLE 



Copyright, 1918, Eldridge Entertainment House. 



-PUBLISHED BY- 



ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE, 

FRANKIIN, - OHIO DENVER, COLO. 



h & 



4$ 

CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES 

JSrKIWG — Clothed in delicate green draperies and 
wearing a rainbow colored scarf which can be used with 
excellent effect in the entering dance. She carries a wand 
tipped with a tinsel star. 

ZEPHYR — A tiny youth (a small girl may take this 
part) dressed in the costume of a jester. Carries striped 
ivand in hand. 

CLARA, MARY, BETTY, SARAH— Dressed in the 
style of the day in dainty lawn or organdy. In the last 
scene they wear white draperies and ivear wreaths of 
smilax in their hair. One bears the satin cushion on 
which the May Queen's crown of apple blossoms rests. 

MAY QUEEN — A tall girl of natural charm. She 
wears a white draped dress edged witn'pink apple hirs- 
soms. 

QUEEN BUTTERCUP— Dressed in yellow with a 
yellow wreath on head. Carries yellow wand. Attendant 
fairies are dressed in a similar fashion with exception of 
wreath and wand. The dresses are much prettier if made 
to the knees. 

QUEEN ROSE — Short skirted frock of pink. Crepe 
paper makes lovely petals. She wears a wreath of pink 
roses on her head and carries a pink wand. The attend- 
ant fairies are dressed in a similar fashion with excep- 
tion of tvand and wreath. 

QUEEN VIOLET — Dressed in short skirted violet 
costume and wears wreath of violets. She carries a vio- 
let wand. Her attendant fairies carry no wands and 
ivear no wreaths. 



TMP96-0J72 56 






• 



The May Dew Charm. 



SCENE I. 

(A lovely woodland scene at dawn. Four girls are 
bathing their faces in May dew.) 

Mary — A jolly superstition this. 
Betty — No superstition. Why I as faithfully be- 
lieve that this Maydew will efface my freckles as I do that 
some shall go to heaven. 

Clara — I for one sincerely hope so. (Sighs) The 
last time that he came he looked at me so closely that I 
know he saw this spot above my left eyebrow. 

Betty — How, I should like to know? You wear your 
hair completely daubed over that one eye. 

Sarah — He and forever he. To every freckle's dis- 
appearing they sing its dirge with reiterated comments 
on the "him." Such vanity! 

Mary — Why waste your time then? If we are fool- 
ish, are you not doubly so? We have a purpose. 
Sarah — So have I. 
Betty — Oh, tell us. 

Clara — (Doubtingly) Who can he be? 
Sarah — Again, oh life alive, he and forever he. I 
speak of no man. Why I wash my face in this Maydew 
that I may for just a moment think, that fairies and my 
dreams are true. 

Betty — What nonsense. 

Mary — Not half so foolish as you think. What is 
this life worth without its dreams? We build our Span- 
ish castles, one and all. Though some so poorly wrought 
are as beggar huts. 

Clara — I wish that we could crown ourselves a queen 
of May. 

Betty — The very thing. 
Sarah — Who would she be? 

Mary — For our own sakes let us choose some one 
that is not present here. Let us have a real queen. One 
who has a regal bearing. 

3 



U The May Dew Charm 

Clara — Well, we like that. 

Mary — (Laughing.) I meant no slander, but let 
us hurry back and on our way will plan who'll be our 
queen. We can, at least, be courtiers. 

Betty — Let's have it here. This stump would make 
a splendid ground work for the throne and this dead 
sapling the very Maypole. It is all ready but a few col- 
ored streamers. 

Clara — But we have no maypole dancers trained. 

Mary — We'll have a pole at any rate. What would 
a May queen do without a pole. She would deem hers an 
empty realm indeed. 

(They exit amid a clatter of laughter and talk. 
Bird calls are then very much in evidence. Spring enters 
and dances in a delightful fashion.) 

Spring — At the lightsome, merry beat 
Of my dainty windshod feet, 
All the gates let down their bars, 
All the meadows blossom stars. 

In a wondrous, purple mass, 
Violets dot the new grown grass, 
Fountains bubble, bluebirds sing, 
I am lovely, I am Spring. 
(Pauses in her dance.) Oh, what a place is this. 
Just the spot in which I and my fairies at the sun's high 
stand shall celebrate. Here we can dance and sing. 
(Calls.) Rose, Violet and Buttercup, come quickly here. 

(Queen Rose and Buttercup enter, courtesying to 
the queen.) 

Queen Rose — Your bidding, merry, merry Spring? 

Spring — Wait but a moment. I called also Violet. 

Queen Buttercup — As I came hurrying along the 
airy road, Violet I saw covering up dead Winter's eyes 
with purple blossoms, and so much engrossed was she, 
that she heard not my greeting as I passed. 

(Queen Violet enters.) 

Queen Violet — Zephyr just told me that he heard 
you call. 



The May Dew Charm 5 

Spring — Now my flower fairies, all I have to say is, 
at the noontide I would wish you here with your subjects 
all, to celebrate the advent of the May. 

Queen Rose — A lovely thought. Come, let us hasten 
on our way. My fairies are at many points today. 

CURTAIN 

SCENE II. 



(The same woodland. It is near the noontide. The 
girls are again seen. This time they are fixing the 
throne. Streamers are already attached to the Maypole.) 

Mary — This is such a lovely, lovely spot that I fancy 
fairies often pass this way. 

Clara — The dew's all gone. 

Betty — Silly, of course, it's almost noon. 

Mary — I'm very glad that we chose Catherine for our 
queen. She is so lovable that I do not mind the thought 
of paying her homage. 

Sarah — Look, here are rose petals. Some one else 
must have passed this way. 

Clara — And here's a violet. 

Mary — And a buttercup. 

Betty — Why, girls, the grass is covered with them 
and they were not here a few short hours ago. 

Sarah — Fairies and witchcraft. This spot breathes 
magic. 

Mary — What a place to crown a queen. 

Betty — Come for the hour approaches and we must 
put on our courtier robes. 

(Exeunt .) 

(Spring enters and stands well to front center of 
the stage. The rose, violet and buttercup fairies follow 
their respective queens. The rose fairies take positions 
at the right, the violet fairies at the left, and the butter- 
cup fairies at the rear. After the lines have become sta- 
tionary the queen flowers stand at attention three feet to 
the center front of the respecive rows.) 



6 The May Dew Charm 

Spring — This troubles me. Mortal has been here 
since we left. Mark you the throne and see the sapling 
with those long streamers. 

Queen Violet — Mortals would call that a Maypole 
and they dance about it, circling round and round. (Ad- 
vances to Maypole and lifts streamers.) See, every one 
a ribbon takes, and weaving in and out they dance, mak- 
ing a pretty sight, as pretty sights of mortals go. 

(Enter Zephyr.) 

Zephyr — Hello, what's up? And here is Spring. I 
have not seen you since we came down the weather road 
together. 

Spring — And Zephyr, jolly, ever-laughing Zephyr, 
what have you been doing? 

Zephyr — I've been busy. Never have I seen so many 
mischievous spring frosts fluttering around. Last night 
I met a very vicious little fellow, but I melted him. I 
just blew upon him thus and so. 

Queen Violet — Oh, be careful. You will break my 
little flowerlets from their stems. 

Zephyr — Zephyr never hurt a violet. Why he loves 
them almost as he does the Violet Queen. (Ripple of 
laughter and wise nods among the violet fairies.) 

Queen Rose — Just yesterday you told me that fond 
Zephyr's heart never so gay was as when near me. 

Queen Buttercup — And y ester eve, just as the sun 
was sinking in the West, he said that earth needed no sun 
when I was here. (All laugh.) 

Spring — A fickle lover. (Zephyr starts to leave.) 
Where are you going? 

Zephyr — (Waving hands.) Such an assemblage is 
beautiful, but it grows confusing. (Sighs.) I wish I 
did not care so much for beauty. I must go. 

Spring — But wait a moment. I had planned a cele- 
bration of May's advent now but three hours ago. But 
mortal since was here. There is the throne they raised 
and here their Maypole tall, round which they dance 
strange dances. 

Zephyr — So, just so. Straight here I blew from a 
laughing crowd of maidens. I had but paused to touch 



The May Dew Charm 7 

the tall one's curls. (Ripple of laughter from fairies. 
Zephyr pauses embarrassed.) 

Spring — Speak on. 

Zephyr — Then don't let them interrupt me. (Spring 
lifts up her hand indicating a desire for silence.) I 
heard these pretty maidens say that they had planned a 
Mayday celebration, and mourn the hollow mockery of it, 
because no one among their number knew how to dance 
the Maypole dance. 

Spring — But you said they were laughing. 

Zephyr — Trying to make the best of a sorry situa- 
tion. 

Spring — And do you think they mean to have their 
celebration here? 

Zephyr — Their Maypole's here. Their throne. 

Queen Violet — Depart we then. Whenever mortal 
comes then we must go. 

Queen Rose — Ah, but their gardens are lovely homes 
to stay in. 

Zephyr — I would not go. 

Spring — What shall we do? 

Zephyr — Hide for the moment. Let their queen 
mount on their throne. Then will I bring a sleep to them. 
You can then have your revels. They will but think they 
dream. 

Queen Buttercup — And let us learn the Maypole 
dance. If fairy feet can not unravel the mysteries of it 
no mortal's could. 

Spring — But are you sure that you can make them 
sleep ? 

Zephyr — As sure as that robins sing in April days. 

Spring — Where did you find this precious secret? 

Zephyr — When I was but a few years younger and 
went into the witch of Endor's cave. I saw her take a lit- 
tle berry, crush it and say: "Breathe it my beauties," to 
three young maidens who sat there and all tumbled off 
into an instantaneous sleep. Then the witch called up 
spirits out of the brimstone depths and creatures from 
the topmost stratas of the air and those maidens saw 
nothing. Though I heard one tell the others what she 
dreamed and the dream was as the reality. 



8 The May Dew Charm 

Spring — And the berries, where are they? 

Zephyr — I have gathered a few in my wanderings 
recently. (Takes a few from his pocket and shoivs them 
to Spring ivho nods. Music is heard in the distance. All 
listen ) Here they come now with their coronation crowd. 
We'll hide. 

CURTAIN 
SCENE III. 



(Girls in white draperies stand on either side of 
throne on ivhich May queen sits. One lifts the crown 
from the bearer's cushion and places it on the queen's 
head. Just as it is put in place, Zephyr appears, though 
he is supposedly invisible to the coronation party, and 
scatters a powder. Instantly langour manifests itself.) 

May Queen — Why I feel that I must sleep. (Head 
nods and she sleeps.) 

Clara — The whole world reels. 

Mary — Slumber as dark as midnight takes hold upon 
me. 

Betty — This is most remarkable. 

(One by one the party succombs.) 
(Enter Spring.) 

Spring — Poor sleeping May Queen and her corona- 
tion party fair, bright may your dreams be and very 
beautiful. 

Zephyr — I can make them very strange. Instead of 
you dancing I can make them see purple and yellow 
moons whirling in mad gyrations, or as many spinning 
gigantic snowfiakes parti-colored. 

Spring — No, let them see us as we are, fancying us 
us only as a dream when they awaken. 

(From the center back appear the buttercup fairies. 
From the respective sides come the violet and rose fai- 
ries headed by their queens. They throw clouds of col- 
ored papers into the air.) 



The May Dew Charm 9 

Spring — Lovely golden flowerlets, little suns that 
shine in the green meadows and break the gloom of win- 
ter's thraldom, my rose fairies with your lithesome bod- 
ies, join in the merriment and Queen Violet lead out along 
the rhythmic dances your own fair subjects. (In ec- 
stacy.) Had ever queen a realm as fair as this? 

(At this point a drill is introduced.) 

1. 12 girls should participate in this drill. They 
dance to front, hands clasped high, separate, six dance to 
left and six to right, around to the back, circling around 
the corners, rather than turning square corners. 

2. First two to meet at center back join hands and 
dance to front. Others following in couples. 

3. First couple turn to right, second couple to the 
left. Circle to back. Meet as before and come down in 
fours. 

4. At front all left face and follow girl at extreme 
left. Dance in large circle about stage. 

5. When circle is complete join hands and reverse, 
circling once about stage. 

6. Drop hands and follow girl who was leader in 
figure 4, winding a spiral. 

7. Unwind spiral. 

8. When line is again straight across front of stage 
dance backward in line formation to rear. 

9. Repeat figure 1. 

10. Repeat figure 2 and break up when at rear of 
stage. 

If a more elaborate drill is desired any fancy drill 
may be given.* 

Spring — And now the Maypole. There it stands un- 
challenged by the grace of fairy feet. Come forth as 
many of you as are hours which flit between the height 
of noon and the dark mid of night. ( 12 fairies advance, 
4 from each division.) Take up the gay hued ribbons 
and let your feet run fleet as brooklets, as light as 

-We can recommend "The Butterflies Revel," to be 
found in the Help-U Drill Book for Intermediate Grades. 
Price 30 cents. 



10 The May Dew Charm 

Zephyr's gentlest winds. Come Zephyr, give them of 
your store of grace. Wave light your wand. 

Zephyr — I'll wish them music to which, if their feet 
were heavy as old Colossus,' still would they dance. (Ex- 
quisite music is immediately heard and the fairies take 
iip their Maypole round. The remainder may sivay in 
rythm with the music. When the dance is finished the 
May Queen shoivs signs of waking.) 

Zephyr — (Pointing toward the Mayday party of 
girls.) They awaken. Let us disband. 

Spring — Yes, our fairy revels have their end. Old 
Time is stronger than our magic power. (All fairies 
exit.) 

May Queen — (Awaking.) A lovely, lovely sight. 
(Looking about her.) Why, you are sleeping, all of you. 
Such a beauteous revel as you've missed! (Shakes 
Clara.) 

Clara — (Awaking.) Oh, happy happy day, oh lovely 
sight. (Spies Mary asleep and rouses her.) 

Mary — So wonderful. Why I had never dreamed 
that aught could be so fair. (All waken.) 

May Queen — You were all sleeping when a fairy 
band displayed their revels before my very throne. 
Zephyr was here, and Spring, and such a crew of radiant 
fairies as never mortal eye had seen before. 

Clara — I was not sleeping. 

Mary — Not I. 

Betty— Nor I. 

Sarah — I saw them. 

May Queen — But you were wrapped in slumber most 
profound. 

Sarah — Well then I dreamed it. 

All— And I. 

Betty — 'Twas true as dreams are true. 

Mary — As real as May Queen's realms. 

Mary — As true as the tale that tells of the May dew's 
charms, which gives it the power to wipe away Nature's 
unkind blemishes. 



The May Dew Charm 11 

May Queen — Well, then you dreamed and I among 
you. It is enough to have seen, whether in dream or out. 
Now let us hie away. But remember always to come here 
unto this spot when it is May. 

A 

CURTAIN 



SUGGESTIONS 

This play is written especially for college, boarding 
school and high school pupils. It forms an excellent 
background for gymnastic work, ivhich can be used most 
effectively in the last scene. The drill or dance should 
not be of more than ten minutes in length, however. 

The scene is preferably out-of-doors although it may 
be worked out on a smaller scale upon a stage. If given 
at night colored lights can be used with a bewilderingly 
beautiful effect in the fairy scenes, especially during the 
Maypole dance. 

The Maypole should be made to look as much like a 
sapling as possible and should be in the scene from the 
start, but with the streamers hidden. The throne in the 
last scene should be draped in white and placed upon a 
dais. 

Spring, Zephyr and the fairies should be as grace- 
ful as though they really came from fairyland. Music 
of a soft and appealing nature will enhance the beauty 
of the play greatly. 



NEW RED CROSS PLAY FOR GIRLS 

CAPTAIN ANNE of the RED CROSS 



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One interior setting. Easily costumed and 
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-^^-^PRICE 25 CENTS^^^- 

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FRANKLIN, OHIO also 'KftaS 1 DENVER, COLO. 



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Characters of Flowers 
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FRANKLIN. OHIO % ^ ^ », DENVER, COLO. 



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THE BIG SUCCESS OF LAST SEASON 

"Somewhere in France" 



By SEYMOUR S. TIBBALS 

/H STIRRING patriotic drama of the World 
("* War in 3 acts. 4 male, 3 female char- 
acters. All strong parts. One interior scene. 

This play has been rewritten and elaborated 
to play a full evening. Last season it achieved 
an instantanteous hit with amateur players, 
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The action takes place in the home of Pierre 
Graudet, a few miles from the trenches and 
graphically shows why America went into the 
war. Two sons have been killed in battle and 
Jean, the youngest son, is blinded by a shell. 
Mary Dale, an American Red Cross nurse, is 
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The capture of a German aviator, who is com- 
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the second act. The dialog is intensely patriotic 
and one critic has termed the play "a classic." 
A splendid play for a Red Cross benefit, or to 
raise money for any war activity. Our most 
popular play last season. 



PRICE 25 CENTS 



THE ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also '•"SsL, DENVER, COLO. 



